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SchoolingProcess of familiarizing a horse with the starting gate and teaching it racing practices. A horse may also be schooled in the paddock.

ScratchTo be taken out of a race before it starts. Trainers usually scratch horses due to adverse track conditions or a horse's adverse health. A veterinarian can scratch a horse at any time.

Shadow RollA (usually sheepskin) roll that is secured over the bridge of a horse's nose to keep it from seeing shadows on the track and shying away from or jumping them.

ShankRope or strap attached to a halter or bridle by which a horse is led.

ShedrowStable area. A row of barns.

SheetsA handicapping tool assigning a numerical value to each race run by a horse to enable different horses running at different racetracks to be objectively compared.

ShortA horse in need of more work or racing to reach winning form.

ShowThird position at the finish.

Show BetWager on a horse to finish in the money; third or better.

Shut OffUnable to improve position due to being surrounded by other horses.

SimulcastA simultaneous live television transmission of a race to other tracks, off-track betting offices or other outlets for the purpose of wagering.

Sire1) The male parent. 2) To beget foals.

Sitting in the PocketWhen a horse is sitting on the rail behind the pacesetter.

Sloppy (track)A racing strip that is saturated with water; with standing water visible.

SnipSmall patch of white hairs on the nose or lips of a horse.

SophomoresThree-year-old horses. Called sophomores because age three is the second year of racing eligibility.

Spit the BitA term referring to a tired horse that begins to run less aggressively, backing off on the "pull" a rider normally feels on the reins from an eager horse. Also used as a generic term for an exhausted horse.

SprintShort race, less than one mile.

StakesA race for which the owner usually must pay a fee to run a horse. The fees can be for nominating, maintaining eligibility, entering and starting, to which the track adds more money to make up the total purse. Some stakes races are by invitation and require no payment or fee.

Starter1) An official responsible for ensuring a fair start to the race, the starter supervises the loading of horses into the starting gate through a gate crew. He/she also has control of the opening the gate. 2) A horse that is in the starting gate when the race begins, whether he runs or not.

Starting CarPartitioned mechanical device having stalls in which the horses are confined until the starter releases the stalls' confined front doors to begin the race.

State BredA horse bred in a particular state and thus eligible to compete in races restricted to state-breds.

StayerA horse that can race long distances.

SteadiedA horse being taken in hand by its rider, usually because of being in close quarters.

Step UpA horse moving up in class to meet better competition.

StewardOfficials of the race meeting responsible for enforcing the rules of racing.

StretchFinal straight portion of the racetrack to the finish.

Stretch CallPosition of horses at the eighth pole.

Stretch RunnerHorse that runs its fastest nearing the finish of a race.

StrideManner of going. Also, distance covered between successive imprints of the same hoof.